Architect Jorge Ramírez has preserved an old fruit tree, tired mud walls, and decorative archways in his family's 1930s home in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and then added a white yoga studio on top.

Ramírez, who is also a multidisciplinary artist, transformed the "small and old" residence in the central Mexican city. Completed in the 1930s, the original one-storey property is an example of neocolonial architecture – a revival of the 17th-century colonial style.

Having already lived there for 10 years, Ramírez aimed to keep the existing details of the one-storey-high family home in tact, such as weathered mud-brick walls, and crumbling render and brickwork.
The extension is a distinct white volume placed over the top, to create a yoga studio for himself and his wife to practice. The layering of structures is similar to how the Aztecs built their ancient pyramids in the city, Ramírez told Dezeen.
"As well as the ancient pyramids, where the new structure was built over the previous one, leaving it drowned inside, a respectful envelope for the neocolonial house was designed," he said.
"The expansion delicately shelters and exhibits the original forms, elements and materials," Ramírez added. "Each one of the constructive stages is clearly established."

The white-rendered addition envelopes the front of the residence with brickwork left exposed on the base. It has two windows on ...